UKLPG shapes the low carbon future at annual conference in Leeds
3 min read
The opportunities presented to the LPG industry by the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy were top of the agenda at the UKLPG annual conference in Leeds earlier this month.
The Clean Growth Strategy (CGS), published in October 2017, made a commitment to phase out the installation of high carbon fossil fuel heat in buildings not connected to the gas grid.
The keynote speaker, Ruth Richmond, from the Government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) set out the main aims of Government’s current ‘Call for Evidence’, which is seeking views from industry about how best to phase out of high carbon fossil fuels (oil and coal), and evidence about which technologies and innovation can support this transition. Members were welcomed to actively engage with BEIS and to bring forward the solutions that would help Government with its off-grid decarbonisation objectives.
More than 120 representatives of the LPG industry and its suppliers and stakeholders attended the conference at The Met Hotel to debate how to maximise the potential of the opportunity and address the challenges necessary to achieve growth. The agenda also featured presentations from John Mairs from the Department of Transport, as well as views from Jeff House of boiler manufacturer, Baxi, and Shelia Lauchlan from the Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM).
Jeff House of Baxi told delegates, "In the heating industry, policy and regulation are needed to drive change. With the statement of intent given by the CGS and BEIS’ Call for Evidence the direction of travel is clear. How we heat our homes and businesses off the gas grid will be subject to a shake up in coming years.
From a technical standpoint, rural homes present a number of challenges around heat demand and fabric thermal efficiency which means that a high grade heat source will typically be required - this means that LPG or lower carbon bio-LPG fired boilers will be well positioned to meet customer needs Future ."
George Webb, Chair of the LPG industry trade association UKLPG said: “The launch of the Government’s Clean Growth Strategy has given the LPG industry a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate to the government and policy makers that we can be an instrumental part of this transition. We have a chance to shape the future of the LPG market by making sure it is recognised as a viable low carbon choice, and a key part of the off-grid energy mix.
LPG acts the same as natural gas but produces 33% less CO2 than coal and 15% less CO2 than heating oil. With low particle emissions, low NOx (nitrogen oxide) emissions and low sulphur content, it is the lowest carbon conventional off-grid fuel. A well-established supply infrastructure throughout the UK means that LPG is a convenient alternative for homeowners looking to move away from high carbon coal and heating oil.
The LPG industry is committed to the decarbonisation targets set out in Government’s Clean Growth Strategy and the 4th and 5th carbon budgets. Beyond the considerable carbon and air quality benefits achievable right now, further advancements in gas heating technologies and the introduction of bioLPG into the supply chain will ensure that rural emissions are reduced at minimal cost and disruption to consumers.
